Pallet Size

Before we begin talking about any sort of technical details, let me straight head for the hills in explaining you what is a pallet. A pallet is a flat structural structure which is used to support and handle goods and loads for storage efficiencies. These transport 'unit loads' are used to lift up shipping containers with the help of a pallet jack or forklift, which is then secured with strapping or wraps and then the goods are shipped from manufacturers to the retailers. Pallets can also vary in dimensions, it may be either 4-way or 2-way (pallets with two sides where tines are infixed from two sides). Another aspect of pallet measurement is the way its measured initially, the first number happens to be the stringer length and the second is the length of the deck-board. So this, in short, is the sound definition of a pallet. There are several pallet sizes available in the market, some are standard and some depend on the shipping prospective. In U.S.A., the most common size available is 48'' x 40''. Let's take a look at some standardized sizes which differ according to different continents.

Grocery Pallet Size

Nearly 30% of the grocery manufacturers' association (GMA) and industrialists in US use pallets of size: 48'' x 40''. In North America, this is the most popular size, standard rather in the books of International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ISO Standard Pallets

• ISO 48'' x 40'' - Mainly used in North America
• ISO 1200mm x 1000mm - Mainly used in Asia and Europe
• ISO 42'' x 42'' - Global Use
• ISO 1140mm x 1140mm - Mainly used in Australia
• ISO 1100mm x 1100mm - Mainly used in Central Asia
• ISO 1200mm x 800mm - Specifically designed for European standard doorways

Other North American Pallets

• 48'' x 40'' - (GMA) Grocery Manufacturers' Association
• 42'' x 42'' - Used for telecommunications and paint
• 48'' x 48'' - Used for drums
• 40'' x 48'' - Used for cement and military shipments
• 48'' x 42'' - Used for heavy machines, beverages and chemical loads
• 40'' x 40'' - Used for dairy
• 48'' x 45'' - Used for automobiles and automotive
• 44'' x 44'' - Used for handling chemical drums and containers
• 36'' x 36'' - Used in the beverage industries
• 48'' x 36'' - Used for manufacturing packaged paper, beverages and shingles

Although pallets have a variation of its existence, like the ones which are mentioned above, besides its standard sizes, it occurs in several other sizes and contours as well. They are simply designed to allow moving, loading and unloading of goods with the use of those standard forklift prongs. The main two pallet categories are the: 'stringer' and 'block' pallets. Amongst the lot one of them is the wood pallet. A wooden pallet is like a mandatory shipping equipment which is expended broadly in warehouses and manufacturing associations. Also, besides the North American pallet size variations that are available, ISO acknowledges 5 more shipping sizes which are internationally accredited.

European Pallet Size

The basic size disseminating in the country of Europe is: 800mm x 1200mm, which happens to be the most convenient and fiscal pallet size fitting through doorways as well. These pallets are barely used across the globe.

Australian Pallet Size

The Australian pallet sizes are solely used in the country of Australia lone. The standard size out there is 1165mm x 1165mm. This type of sizing fits best for railway shipping cars and other railway vehicles exclusively in Australia.

To use pallets as load carriers using standard size pallets is the ease in moving the load to various locations whenever necessary. And secondly along with the size, the height helps to lift up heavy-duty loads and goods to a considerable height and comfortably re-locate the commodities at the desired location.